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'Heat Days' Could Become the New Snow Days, Thanks to Climate Change

Since 2000, 16 of the 17 hottest years in recorded history have occurred.

Climate change is becoming more clearly felt around the world, disrupting everything from school days to rainfall. Without urgent action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, these disruptions will only become more extreme. You can join us in taking action on this issue here.

Schools throughout the United States canceled classes or ended early several days last week as temperatures rose above 90 degrees in parts of the country, exceeding historic averages, according to the New York Times.

The closures are part of what could become a routine phenomenon in the years ahead — heat days.

Just as heavy snowfall keeps kids out of the classroom because of treacherous roads, extremely hot days in schools without adequate air conditioning can endanger students’ health and degrade the learning environment by making people feel lethargic.

In fact, school year schedules are often crafted to avoid extremely hot days. In states like Connecticut and New Jersey, which aren’t accustomed to such hot days in September, last week’s weather was difficult to navigate and classes ended up being canceled in various schools.

“From Long Island to Central New York, we’re looking at heat indexes of 100 degrees,” Andy Pallotta, president of New York State United Teachers, told the Times. “It’s very hot, and the kids are lethargic.”

Since 2000, 16 of the 17 hottest years in recorded history have occurred, and temperatures are expected to continue rising as climate change intensifies from the ongoing accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.